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Philippines, 22 May 2024 |
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INSIDE SPORTS: Of Tragedy and Triumph By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Wed, 18 Nov 2009  WHEN Manny Pacquiao, a genuine hero of our time, bloodied and battered World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Miguel Cotto into submission in 55 minutes of the 12th and final round of their “Fire Power” showdown before a sellout crowd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday night, he helped ease the pain and wash away the tears that thousands of Filipinos shed over the tragedy that befell classy Z Gorres in the ring at the Mandalay Bay House of Blues on Friday the 13th. It was a nightmare of the most dreadful kind as Gorres, in a fight that was to serve as a stepping stone to a world title rematch with Fernando Montiel, which the Filipino had yearned for, put on the most impressive performance of his ring life only to be fighting for his life a few hours later, a victim of a blood clot and a severe swelling of the brain, which forced neurosurgeons to open his skull and drain the fluid to ease the swelling. Moments before he suddenly staggered to his corner and collapsed, Gorres had heard ring announcer Lupe Contreras announce a lopsided decision in a fight in which the flashy southpaw from the famed ALA Gym had won eight of the 10 rounds on the scorecards of the three judges. Just before the decision was announced, Gorres draped a Philippine flag around his shoulders to tell the whole world, where he hailed from and his inherent pride in being a Filipino. We were desperately concerned over Gorres’ condition and called ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer, vice president Dennis Canete and trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor in Las Vegas several times for updates, even as we agonized over what had happened since we had done his fight against tough and relentless puncher Luis Melendez for the ABS-CBN telecast on Sunday prior to the Pacquiao-Cotto fight and were thrilled at Gorres’ masterful performance. Even more importantly, we were groping for words to console our esteemed friend and boxing patron Tony Aldeguer in whose caring hands Gorres had grown up since he was a 9-year-old boy. Gorres reflected the values and virtues of decency, affection, discipline, hard work, integrity and fairness that the Aldeguer family lives by and the fight for his life was, in many respects, their personal fight as well. Such is the quality of this family for whom we have the greatest admiration, respect and affection. Tony Aldeguer and his son Michael to whom the mantle has been passed were, like those of us who knew Gorres well and admired his skill as a boxer and his demeanor as a human being, cried our hearts out in the quiet of our rooms or in the solitude of a church or chapel, searching agonizingly for answers to why good and decent young men and their families and friends must suffer through tragedies such as this. We also grappled with the question as to why men like Tony Aldeguer, who has given so much of himself and his resources to the sport of boxing, asking nothing in return except the satisfaction of providing an opportunity for poor young men to become decent, caring sons or fathers and to improve the quality of their lives while bringing honor and glory to our country and people, should be burdened with such anguish. Gorres was someone who never, ever lost his composure or got angry at anyone in or out of the ring. He was the consummate gentleman-boxer whose kind and gentle disposition and respectful manner had always impressed us. His skill in the ring was, in some ways, overshadowed by his consummate class outside the ring. All we can do is pray that God in His infinite mercy will place His healing hands on Gorres and restore his faculties so he could lead a full and productive life. God indeed is our individual and collective refuge and He is the great healer in whom we must keep our unflinching faith. In a way, God dressed our wounds and mitigated our sorrows when Manny Pacquiao turned in a magnificent performance to stop Cotto in the final round, one day after the Gorres tragedy. We have always prayed fervently for Pacquiao’s victories not so much for him but for our country and people who sorely need something to lift their spirits and give them the hope that if they show the same commitment, dedication, hard work and courage demonstrated by Pacquiao, they can also overcome. And as we collectively thank God for the blessings bestowed on our country and people through Manny Pacquiao, let us seek His love and mercy for Z “The Dream” Gorres and may his critical condition ultimately turn out be nothing but a bad dream. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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